Electric swivel



Aug. 31, 1943. E. J. HElNl-:R

ELECTRIC SWIVEL Filed Feb. 15, 1942 INVENToR .F.J'Jeu: er

HTTYS Patented Aug. 31, 1943 ELECTRIC SWIVEL Everette J. Heiner, Fresno, Calif., assignor of onethird to Harry Cleason andone-third to Louis -J. Heiner Application February 13, 1942, Serial No. 430,734

1 Claim.

This invention relates in general to an improved electrical conductor unit, and in particular the invention is directed to, and it is my principal object to provide, an electrical conductor unit which includes a pair of cooperating assemblies arranged together for relative rotation whereby when the unit is coupled, for example, between an electric cord and current outlet, or between the cord and an electric appliance, the appliance to whichthe cord leads may rotate without kinking and twisting the cord, and which otherwise frequently results in short-circuiting or breaking thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical conductor unit or electric swivel which includes relatively rotatable assemblies which cooperate to conduct electricity through the unit Without interruption or fluctuation; the

unit including a novel collector ring arrange-` ment.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly eifective for the purpose for which it is designed.

It is understood, of course, that while the conductor unit or electric swivel may be employed as a separate unit connected with an electric cord at either end or interposed therein, or arranged with one assembly of the unit fixed on the appliance @r a current outlet box, the

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following speciiication and claim.

In the drawing similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

Figure 1 is an enlarged elevation of the conductor unit.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of said conductor unit.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawing, the numeral I indicates a cylindrical body having an internal chamber 2 opening to one end of the body; said body being fitted with a cap 3 having an axial opening 4 therethrough, The opening 4 communicates with chamber 2 but is of substantially less diameter. Both the body I and the cap 3 are of dielectric material and may be secured together in any suitable manner.

Annuler metallic collector rings 5 are fixed Cil ywithin the chamber 2 of body-I in spaced and insulated relation axially of said body. Spaced prongs 6 are mounted on and project from the end of the body opposite cap 3, these prongs extending into the body, and one being electrically connected with the adjacent one of the collector rings 5 as at 1, while the other prong is connected with the other collector ring by means of an embedded contact strip 8 formed integral with said prong and which said strip at its free end frictionally engaged said other collector ring.

A sleeve 9 of dielectricxaterial projects in clearance and freely rotatable relation into the chamber 2 of body I through opening 4 in cap 3, said sleeve terminating short of the bottom of the chamber.

Within the chamber 2 the sleeve 9 is tted with a pair of metallic annular collector rings I0 disposed in axially spaced insulated relation and corresponding to and facing rings 5. Each of the rings I0 is formed with an annular groove or race II. A circular row of steel balls I2 ride in said races in rings I0 and also ride against rings 5. It will thus be seen that with the above arrangement the sleeve 9 is supported for rotation relative to the body I. In order to prevent undesired axial displacement of the sleeve 9 relative to body I, the collector rings 5 at their outer edges are formed with annular inturned iianges I3 which prevent the adjacent row of balls 9 from displacing any substantial distance axially of the body.

The electric cord I4 to which the electric swivel is connected extends into the sleeve 9 from its outer end, the Wires I5 of said electric cord being separated within the sleeve and passing through small ports I6 therein to separate connection with the collector rings I0.

By virtue of the above described construction, the electric swivel functions to permit of rotation of the cord I4 without interrupting the flow of current or causing fluctuation thereof, and the cord does not kink or twist for the reason that any torque therein is immediately relieved.

The above described electric swivel will be found exceedingly useful in conjunction with the cords of telephones, vacuum cleaners, electric irons, electric toasters, or any other electric cords.

While the principal embodiment is a two-wire electric swivel, the device obviously can be constructed to accommodate `a different number of wires.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fullls the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by 5 Letters Patent is:v

An electric swivel comprising an insulation sleeve having a two-wire electric cord therein, a pair of annular metal ball bearings each including an inner race and an outer race, the inner races being ttedon the sleeve adjacent one end in spaced and non-axially movable relation, an insulation ring on the sleeve between and engaging the inner races to maintain the bearings spaced, through the sleeve and engaging one inner race while the other wire likewise passes through the sleeve and engages the other race, an insulation one wire passing radially 1 body forming a cup initially open at one end into which the outer races t, the sleeve proljecting from the open end of the body, an insulation spacer ring in the body between and .engaging the outer races, one outer race engaging thecbottom of the cup, electric connection elements embedded in the body and exposed at the closed end thereof, one element extending to and engaging one outer race and the other element extending to and engaging the other outer race when the bearings are disposed in the cup, and a cap tted on the body over its open end and about the sleeve, said cap engaging the outer race of the adjacent bearing whereby axial displacement of both bearings and the sleeve is prevented.

'EVERETTE J. HEINER. 

